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Tennessee football: Vols fans’ rooting guide to make best possible bowl game

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 08: Head coach Jeremy Pruitt of the Tennessee Volunteers brings his team onto the field prior to a game against the East Tennessee State University Buccaneers at Neyland Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennesee won the game 59-3. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 08: Head coach Jeremy Pruitt of the Tennessee Volunteers brings his team onto the field prior to a game against the East Tennessee State University Buccaneers at Neyland Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennesee won the game 59-3. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Harry How/Getty Images
Photo by Harry How/Getty Images /

Oregon State Beavers over Oregon Ducks

Line: Oregon -19; Over/Under: 68; TV: Pac-12 Network

Saturday, Nov. 30 at 4 p.m. ET; Autzen Stadium; Eugene, Ore.

And here we go with the other big upset of the day that needs to happen. In order for five SEC teams to make New Year’s Six bowl games, the Big 12 and Pac-12 can only have their automatic bids make it, while the Big Ten can only have three teams make it. The Oregon State Beavers upsetting the Oregon Ducks is a path for that.

Oregon suffered their second loss last week. At this point, they are still on track to play for the Pac-12 championship. However, if they win on Saturday, it opens the door for them to then play for the conference title and beat a one-loss Utah Utes team. Doing that allows for two teams from the conference to make New Year’s Six bowl games.

As a result, Tennessee football would benefit the most from Oregon State beating Oregon. If that happens, the Ducks have three losses, and even if the Ducks win the Pac-12, it would be hard to ice out the Auburn Tigers after just beating the Alabama Crimson Tide when they beat Oregon to open the season.

Simply put, getting Oregon to three losses is the key. If that happens, UT fans should still root against them in the Pac-12 championship game. But this is a first step, and it’s a much more difficult one as well.

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